Cops, Critics Differ On Radio Encryption
With the aim of safeguarding its radio communications from being compromised, the Winter Park, Fla., Police Department has implemented encryption technology. Police Chief Douglas Ball believes the $1.5 million revamp was well worth the cost of converting existing technology from analog to digital frequencies over a three-year period. This enabled the department to encode its communications to “a higher level of security that prevents the bad guys from being able to monitor us,” explains Ball. He adds that the protection is needed because anyone can easily obtain scanners at places such as Radio Shack and could potentially use them to track police whereabouts. But attorney Kathleen Kirby is concerned that encrypting communications impedes people’s right to information, especially for journalists and other watchdogs, and makes it easier to cover up misdeeds. And “Monitoring Times” editor Rachel Baughn says encryption completely removes potentially helpful “eyes and ears in the streets.” Ball contends that working with the media is a more effective way to disseminate information. In Florida, the laws that govern public records and access do not apply to law enforcement’s radio transmissions except when a transcript or recording is created. Meanwhile, the Orange County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office has opted to encrypt only those channels used for tactical operations, according to Sgt. Carlos Torres, while the Orlando Police Department encrypts only their SWAT team’s channels.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Orlando Sentinel (FL) (05/10/06); Rivera-Lyles, Jeanette .